Key Info
Bachelor/Masters of Engineering in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
About you
Are you a person who:
- Is interested in pursuing a career that can really make a practical contribution to helping people and society, e.g. The production of new drugs to fight disease, developing realistic ways for sustainable energy generation, providing efficient technologies for combating climate change?
- Enjoys the challenges of solving applied problems and applying your analytical skills to finding innovative solutions?
- Has a flair for science and technology and wishes to put these talents to good use?
If so, this may be the programme for you.
The B.E/M.E Chemical and Biochemical Engineering provides an interesting, intellectually challenging, and educationally rigorous degree programme that leads to a professionally recognised qualification and good employment prospects in any of a variety of stable, sustainable, well-paid careers.
Why study Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at UL?
This programme is the only course of its kind in the Mid-West and Western regions of the country. Process engineering is the central area of expertise underpinning many important, sustainable industries and businesses within both the Irish and global economies. Such enterprises include: biopharmaceuticals, fuels, chemicals, and drug manufacture, energy production, food and beverage processing, environmental waste remediation, and electronic component manufacture.
The Irish pharmaceutical, chemical and biochemical industries have been primarily responsible for the recent consistent increases in the national export performance, proving these sectors to be stable and resilient, even in harsh economic conditions.
In all of these areas, the chemical/biochemical engineer is of key importance both in the design and operation of the processing systems and in the development and manufacture of novel products.
This programme is IChemE accredited to ensure international professional recognition for graduates of the degree.
Learn more about our courses and upcoming events
What you will study
This programme comprises formal lectures/study, practical laboratories, workshops, training on industry-standard process engineering software, project work, as well as a substantial Cooperative Education period working in an industrial placement.
Years 1 and 2 provide a comprehensive grounding in all of the subjects required for a career as a professional chemical/biochemical engineer. As well as rigorous training in mathematics, process engineering, computation methods, chemistry, biochemistry, and physics, closely allied subjects are also studied, including bioprocess engineering, engineering materials and process design methods.
Beginning in year 2 and continuing throughout year 3, you will gain knowledge in fluid mechanics and heat transfer, reaction engineering and mass transfer separation. The programme also offers some advanced-level modules in the areas of pharmaceutical manufacture, formulation and sustainable methods for energy and fuel production. In year 3 you will take part in Cooperative Education placement - a training period where you will work as a chemical/biochemical engineer on one or more project-related tasks within a company, enterprise or institution. During this time, you will also make the decision to take the B.E. or M.E. route for year 4.
In year 4 you will undertake a design project, in which you will work as part of a team to carry out the comprehensive design of a sustainable process for the large-scale production of a chemical or biochemical-based product. This project will give you an opportunity to develop and hone your skills in other important areas of professional engineering practice.
Those who choose the M.E. route will continue to expand their knowledge in year 5. This advanced year offers in-depth knowledge of the field, covering theoretical principles, computational and experimental methods, and real-world applications. Students will graduate with a Master of Engineering degree, meeting the academic requirements of Chartered Engineer status, as recognised by the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer | ||
| MA4001 | Engineering Maths 1 | MA4002 | Engineering Maths 2 | |
| CH4701 | General Chemistry 1 | MT4002 | Engineering Materials | |
| PH4011 | Physics for Engineers 1 | CH4102 | Organic Chemistry 1: Functional Groups | |
| CG4001 | Process Engineering Computation | PH4012 | Physics for Engineers 2 | |
| CG5011 | Principles of Chemical Engineering | CH4002 | Physical Chemistry 1: Thermodynamics & Kinetics |
| Semester 3 | Semester 4 | Summer | ||
| MA4003 | Engineering Maths 3 | MA4004 | Engineering Maths 4 | |
| CH4405 | Fluid Mechanics & Heat Transfer | CH4404 | Process Technology: Instrumentation, Control | |
| CH4103 | Organic Chemistry 2 | CH4004 | Physical Chemistry 3: Phase Equilibria | |
| BC4903 | Biomolecules | CH4608 | Plant & Process Management | |
| CG4003 | Bioprocess Engineering 1 | CG5042 | Chemical Engineering Design Methods |
| Semester 5 | Semester 6 | Summer | ||
| MA4007 | Experiment Design | Cooperative Education | Cooperative Education | |
| CH4415 | Reaction Engineering & Reactor Design | |||
| CH4407 | Mass Transfer Separations | |||
| CG5031 | Process Flowsheeting, Unit Sizing, Software | |||
| CG4005 | Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics |
Option 1:
4th Year Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| CG4017 Bioprocess Engineering 2 | CG4007 Sustainable Energy Processes |
| CG4097 Design Project 1 | CG4008 Process Troubleshooting |
| CG6031 Advanced Transport Processes | CG4098 Design Project 2 |
| CH4417 Pharmaceutical Formulation | CG5052 Batch Process Engineering |
| MN4007 Project Management Theory & Practice | ME4718 Fluid Process Control |
Option 2:
4th and 5th Year Master of Engineering (M.E.) in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering
Year 4
| Semester 7 | Semester 8 |
| CG4017 Bioprocess Engineering 2 | CG4008 Process Troubleshooting |
| CG4097 Design Project 1 | CG4098 Design Project 2 |
| CG6031 Advanced Transport Processes | CG5052 Batch Process Engineering |
| CH4417 Pharmaceutical Formulation | CG6052 Research Project Preparation |
| Elective: | ME4718 Fluid Process Control |
| MN4007 Project Management Theory & Practice | |
| PH6071 Advanced Analysis of Materials |
Year 5
| Semester 9 | Semester 10 |
| CG6011 Advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics | CG6902 Process Intensification
|
| CG6021 Multiscale Molecular Modelling | CG6912 Sustainable Biochemical Engineering & Design |
| CG6901 Advanced Reactor Engineering | CG6922 Process Control for Safety & Sustainability |
| CG6931 ME Research Project 1 | CG6932 ME Research Project 2 |
How to apply
| Where are you applying from? | How to Apply |
|---|---|
| Ireland | Irish students must apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found here. |
| The UK | Students who have completed their A-Levels can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| The EU | EU students can apply to UL via the CAO. More information can be found on the Academic Registry website. |
| Non-EU country | If you are outside of the EU, you can apply for this degree here. |
Fees and funding
These scholarships are available for all courses
| Title | Award | Scholarships Available |
|---|---|---|
| All Ireland Scholarships - sponsored by J.P. McManus | €6,750 | 125 |
| Bursary for my Future Scholarship | €2,750 one off payment | 4 |
| Civic Engagement Scholarship | €1500 | 1 |
| Cooperative Education Award | 1 medal per faculty | |
| Elaine Fagan Scholarship | €1,500 | |
| Hegarty Family Access Scholarships | €5,000 for one year | 2 |
| Higher Education Grants & VEC Grants | ||
| Irish American Partnership Access Scholarships | $5,000 (Euro equivalent) | 2 |
| Love Actually Charity (LAC) Scholarship | €1,000 | 3 |
| Paddy Dooley Rowing Scholarship | €2,500 | |
| Plassey Campus Centre Scholarship Programme | ||
| Provincial GAA Bursaries Scheme | €750 | |
| Stuart Mangan Scholarship | ||
| The Michael Hillery and Jacinta O’Brien Athletics Scholarship | Various benefits equating to over €7,000 in value | |
| UL Sports Scholarships | Varies depending on level of Scholarship | Multiple |
Your future career
Employability skills from this degree
- Solving problems and using analytical skills
- Managing projects
- Working in teams
- Using leadership skills
- Attention to detail
- Communication and presentation skills
- Ability to develop manufacturing processes for a wide variety of products
Further study options
Graduates with this degree have pursued Ph.D. research in a chosen field.
Job titles for graduates with this degree
Graduates progressing directly into employment take up a wide variety of roles. The following provides a sample of initial roles listed on the Graduate Outcomes Survey by graduates approximately one year after graduation:
- Process Engineer
- Process Projects Engineer
- Biotech Production Specialist
Jenna Bromell
When considering what path to take at university, I wanted to choose a career which would:
- Be challenging
- Involving problem solving
- Lead to plenty of diverse opportunities afterwards
Chemical engineering was a degree that ticked all these boxes for me.
I loved applied math in school as I loved applying a problem-solving mindset to real life applications. Chemical engineering was a path which fulfilled this for me. Being a chemical engineer is all about being faced with a problem and applying structured problem-solving methodologies to develop the most economical solution, taking all practicalities and constraints into account. It does not matter what the nature of the problem is - chemical engineering equips you with the problem-solving mindset to be able to tackle challenges in any industry.
There is also so much opportunity for career progression as a chemical engineer. A chemical engineering degree lays strong foundations to set you up for success long term. Whether you would like to work in a smaller company, in a multinational company or as a consultant, there is freedom to choose a path which appeals to you.
Regardless of the specific direction you choose within the field of chemical engineering, the knowledge and skills you acquire will enable you to make a positive impact on society. In essence, through chemical engineering, we can convert our understanding of chemistry and biochemistry into tangible improvements to people’s lives.
Jack O'Callaghan
Jack was awarded a BEng in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (1st Class Honours) from the University of Limerick in August 2020.
“The advantage of doing a chemical engineering degree at UL is the freedom of choice. The foundation of knowledge and transferrable skills developed in LM115 affords opportunities far beyond the conventional pharmaceutical and process industries. The practical lab experience, hands-on design projects and exposure to leading commercial software set the BEng in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering apart as a well-regarded, highly employable degree. My time with LM115 has opened many doors (both in research and in industry) and I am grateful that my degree has enabled me to pursue what I am passionate about, rather than obligating me to pursue one specific career or another.”
Jack O’ Callaghan is a bioengineering PhD candidate at the Bernal Institute He is a recipient of a Government of Ireland Postgraduate (GOIPG) research scholarship from the Irish Research Council where he is exploring novel strategies for drug design and translational medicine. Jack is also involved in research relating to the pathogenesis and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s.
Aoife Cotter
Aoife is from Limerick City and attended Laurel Hill Secondary School. She completed her undergraduate degree in Industrial Biochemistry at the University of Limerick in 2022 and graduated with a first-class honors. During her time at the University of Limerick, she completed her cooperative education in Regeneron’s Industrial Operations and Product Supply site in Raheen, Limerick. She was awarded the Irish Research Council Government of Ireland Postgraduate Scholarship to complete her Ph.D. at the Bernal Institute at the University of Limerick. Aoife’s research focuses on developing inhalable micro-and nanoparticulate powders of therapeutic proteins.
Conor Leen
I have always had a passion for maths and chemistry, so I wanted a course that would both challenge and excite me, allowing me to apply these subjects in a practical way. Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at UL stood out as the perfect choice, combining problem-solving, hands-on lab work, and real-world applications. The balance of chemistry and process design particularly appealed to me. I enjoy tackling complex challenges and understanding how things work at a deeper level. Interactive lab projects and industry visits have given me valuable insights into how chemical processes operate in real-world settings.
As part of my degree, I completed my Co-Op placement at Regeneron as a project engineer in the bio-pharmaceutical industry. This experience gave me first-hand exposure to large-scale manufacturing and how engineering principles ensure efficiency and quality in production. Seeing the direct link between my studies and industry reinforced my decision to pursue this field. The course is challenging, but having such great classmates and supportive lecturers has made it a really positive experience. There’s always someone to collaborate with, and the lecturers are always available to answer questions and provide guidance.
Alongside my studies, I am also a proud Clare GAA hurler. Balancing academics with high-level sport has been demanding but rewarding. Being awarded High-Performance Athlete status by UL has helped me to succeed both on the field and in the classroom, providing the support I need to excel in both areas. This course has pushed me to think critically, solve real engineering problems, and prepare for a career in a highly versatile and in-demand field.